[Giovonny]

(04-18-2013 01:25 PM)Jules D. McMillan Wrote:  

Jules' 1st Round Playoff Predictions:

Eastern Conference

(1)Heat V Bucks(8)
This is easily the most predictable series of the entire playoffs. The fact that the Bucks even made the playoffs with a measly 38-44(sub .500) record shows that the East is notoriously weak. Anything less than a 4-0 sweep by the Heat means they simply didn't play hard every game. This series should be over before it starts.

(2)Knicks V Celtics(7)
This is easily the most interesting 1st round matchup in the East. People have written the Celtics off the past 4 years and they've always responded by making deep playoff runs. They held a 3-2 lead over the Heat just last year before losing the series in 7. In short, the Celtics don't go away easily, it's very hard to beat them.

Unfortunately for them, Rajon Rondo--their best player--is out for the season and although they have players that can contribute a lot, they just don't have enough fire power to win this series. The Celtics will make a hard push, but the Knicks will ultimately win. Knicks in 6 tough games.

(3)Pacers V Hawks(6)
The most boring matchup of the entire playoffs. The Hawks have played horrible basketball over the past several weeks, and they never do anything in the playoffs anyway. Pacers in 5.

(4)Nets V Bulls(5)
Very interesting series. The Nets have very good offensive players in Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez. However, the Bulls have a great--not good--great defense that will bother all three of those players. The Bulls are also a better rebounding team and they have better coaching. Assuming Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson are healthy, Bulls in 6.

Western Conference(The Wild Wild West)

(1)Thunder V Rockets(8)
Something tells me that James Harden is licking his chops to play his former team--the same team that traded him over 1 million extra dollars per year. Harden is going to light the Thunder up like a Christmas tree. The problem is, despite the Rockets being a great offensive scoring team, they play no defense and that's where they're going to fall. Thunder in 6.

(2)Spurs V Lakers(7)
As a Laker fan, this matchup pisses me off. With Kobe Bryant in the lineup, and Gasol and Howard finally playing well together, my Lakers could have taken the Spurs out in this series. The Spurs, like my Lakers, are riddled with injuries. Tony Parker's ankle isn't right and likely won't be right until next season, Ginobili is nowhere near himself, Boris Diaw is out due to back surgery, Stephen Jackson is gone. The Spurs just signed T-Mac, but who knows what he's going to contribute.

This series would have been a dream matchup for my Lakers. Unfortunately, with Kobe now out for the season and Steve Nash banged up, my Lakers simply don't have any players to put pressure on the Spurs' perimeter defense. So the Spurs will simply load their defense in the paint and take their chances with the Blake, Meeks, MWP, Jamison, etc, shooting threes. The Spurs also have a better coach. The Lakers will stretch this series to the limit, but it won't be enough. It pisses me off to say, Spurs in 7.(I hope I'm wrong)

(3)Nuggets V Warriors(6)
Two words to describe this series, "Meep Meep!" This series will be a throwback to old school 1980's basketball, with plenty of fastbreaks, high flying, long shooting and high scores. Expect the scores to be in the 110-115 range. The Warriors have great shooting and very solid inside play and they are very athletic on the perimeter. In short they want to run.

The problem is the Nuggets also have great shooting, better inside play and are even more athletic on the perimeter, which means they want to run even more! They also rebound the ball better than the Warriors do, which is where they will have a major advantage. This will be a very fun series, but assuming Kenneth Faried is healthy, Nuggets in 6.

(4)Clippers V Grizzlies(5)
Two teams with contrasting styles of play. One team is consistently on highlight reels, while the other team is an old- fashioned, halfcourt, grind-it-out team. I picked the Grizzlies to beat the Clips last year, I was wrong. How was I supposed to know the Grizzlies would blow a 27-point lead at home to the Clips and go on to blow late 4th Qrt leads in Gms 3 & 4?

Zach Randolph is healthy this year unlike last year, so I'm once again picking the Grizzlies to win. Grizzlies in 7.

Wow!

I must say, I agree with every word of this!

I am a Spurs fan and I was worried about that match up with the Lakers, but, now that Kobe is hurt, the spurs should be fine.

Great analysis Jules!

(04-18-2013 10:40 PM)La Familia Wrote:  

Stephen Curry

I think Stephen Curry could go down in history as the best pure shooter in the history of basketball.

Why? Because he can do it an every way possible:

Spot ups
Off the dribble
Off screens
etc, etc.

He can make them all.

[Joga Bonito]

(04-19-2013 02:11 PM)goodfella Wrote:  

Does anyone else agree with me that the 1st round of the playoffs should move back to best of 5 format?

With the spread out scheduling alot of 1st round series lose steam and some are mercifully being played out when a team is up 3-0.

Agree wholeheartedly, watching an 8 seed get curb stomped is painful. I guess the NBA wanted more games to be played on TV to get all the scheduling advantages of having every game on a major network, thus more money.

[TheSlayer]

@Jules, agree with most of the predictions. I am just going to change OKC in 5 and Spurs in 6.

@Gio, Steph Curry has the potential to go down as the greatest shooter. I say potential because of his ankles. If he can stay healthy, without a doubt he goes down as best shooter ever.

[at350zguyy]

(04-18-2013 10:31 PM)TheRookie Wrote:  

Unbelievable season for Stephen Curry who is already among the best pure shooters in NBA history. This guy didn't even make the All-Star team which is a black mark on the coaches who vote for the reserves.



He just broke Ray Allen's 3 pt shooting record:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17...02908.html

if you like this, go check out http://www.courtvisionanalytics.com. Kirk Goldsberry has done a great job with shot charts and visual maps. His best post was by far the 'Kobe Assist'

[TheSlayer]

(04-18-2013 06:44 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

I like to hear what other people think. I like to debate this stuff.

Gio, you asked for it. Here we go. I want to debate two things.

First, you and another member brought up that during the playoffs your life revolves around the playoff schedule. I am the same way at times but I feel guilty. Many times on this forum, we talk about following pro-sports as little "beta" (I hate that word but just saying). I just feel guilty that I will make my social life and other activities suffer. What is your take on this? Sometimes I feel I should be able to go out and not worry about a game or two. My only consolation is that I don't really watch any other sport with this fervour.

Secondly, I wanna get your take on LeBron's choker tag (until last year's finals). Now let me say that LeBron definitely choked in those finals but I don't think he was a choker in general. People forget that how "clutch" he was during the Boston and Chicago series that year. He closed Game 5 against Boston by himself and was excellent against Chicago in the 4th quarter games 2-5.

People also forget that he had several good games as a Cav. His performance in the 2007 series against Pistons was Michael Jordanesque according to Michael Jordan. His problem was that he wasn't a consistent closer. I define a closer as the guy who can take the last shot. He doesn't always have to make it because no one can make the last shot all the time. He wasn't a consistent closer but he definitely was a consistent choker either.

This year he has become a consistent closer where he wants the balls in every tight game and more often than not he has delivered.

Another thing that people forget is that Dallas played him perfectly. They played him as well as you can. It's not like Dallas cleared out for him and he didn't do anything. I break it down as 50-50 (LeBron's mental breakdown and Dallas playing him well). In sports, things don't happen in a vacuum but people just say, "Oh, he choked", and don't see what actually happened in the game.

I blame social media, the 24 hour news cycle and crazy analysts like Idiot Bayless (Skip) for these often uninformed opinions. I have heard many people say that Jerry West would have been crucified in today's era. He is known as Mr Clutch but he was only 1/9 in the finals. Imagine him in today's era and how the fans would be on him .

What do you think?

[Giovonny]

(04-19-2013 04:23 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

Gio, you asked for it. Here we go. I want to debate two things.

First, you and another member brought up that during the playoffs your life revolves around the playoff schedule. I am the same way at times but I feel guilty. Many times on this forum, we talk about following pro-sports as little "beta" (I hate that word but just saying). I just feel guilty that I will make my social life and other activities suffer. What is your take on this?

Watching the NBA playoffs makes me happy. Basketball is a big part of my life.

I don't care if it is "beta". I know it is the right thing for me.

Girls will still be there when the playoffs are over.

I don't mind taking a break form everything else and focusing on WHAT I LOVE.

I don't care what anyone thinks. I want to do this.

(04-19-2013 04:23 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

Secondly, I wanna get your take on LeBron's choker tag (until last year's finals).

Earlier in his career, he was a little bit of a "choker" He was never a consistent choker but he did choke a few times.

He also had some historic 4th quarter performances in the playoffs.

When he choked, I think he was just a young player who was learning how to win. He is not a natural closer like Durant or Carmelo. He had to learn how to win in the NBA and learn how to close.

He also had to improve his jumpshot, which he did.

He was young, immature, he choked.

He got humbled, he got better, he matured, he played better.

He started as a scared kid, he became a man.

(04-19-2013 04:23 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

People forget that how "clutch" he was during the Boston and Chicago series that year. He closed Game 5 against Boston by himself and was excellent against Chicago in the 4th quarter games 2-5.

And, his defensive was amazing.

(04-19-2013 04:23 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

People also forget that he had several good games as a Cav. His performance in the 2007 series against Pistons was Michael Jordanesque

34 straight points to close the game!

One of the greatest performances I have ever seen.

Thats when I knew he was special.

(04-19-2013 04:23 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

His problem was that he wasn't a consistent closer.

He is not a natural closer. He is more of a Scottie Pippen type. He has always been more comfortable passing.

Closing is just like learning how to game girls. You have to get over alot of your inner fears and insecurities, you have to change your perspective and attitude. It takes a few years to really make the change. He has done it. He has worked hard and is a much better closer now.

(04-19-2013 04:23 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

Another thing that people forget is that Dallas played him perfectly.

Dallas had a perfect team. Dallas played better. Dallas was a better team.

Miami was not ready. Lebron was not ready.

Dallas kicked their ass.

It's a team sport. A great TEAM can beat a great PLAYER.

(04-19-2013 04:23 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

I blame social media, the 24 hour news cycle and crazy analysts

Of course. The media crucified him for that "announcement" thing.

He did choke a few times but the media was too hard on him.

He bounced back. He earned his respect back/ If he wins this year he will be all the way back.

Like you said, he was never a consistent closer or a consistent choker. He was just a kid who got better every year and improved his game. He is a much better closer now then he was 3-5 years ago. That says alot about this work ethic and intelligence.

I never had a problem with him. I just thought he was a good player who was learning how to become great.

Even Micheal Jordan had a growing process.

[Moma]

Is it me or is the NBA suffering a lot more injuries than time before? I went down yesterday to watch the Bucks vs Miami game and I heard that David Lee tore his hip flexor and is done for the playoffs.

So many injuries these days. Kobe's Achilles, Rajon Rondo ACL, Lou Williams ACL and there are a few more..is it a higher intensity of play these days or what?

Someone chime in...

[Giovonny]

(04-22-2013 01:18 AM)Moma Wrote:  

Is it me or is the NBA suffering a lot more injuries than time before? I went down yesterday to watch the Bucks vs Miami game and I heard that David Lee tore his hip flexor and is done for the playoffs.

So many injuries these days. Kobe's Achilles, Rajon Rondo ACL, Lou Williams ACL and there are a few more..is it a higher intensity of play these days or what?

Someone chime in...

There might be a few more injuries nowadays..

I think its a variety of things:

The higher rate of intensity. The game has never been faster or as explosive. These guys are exploding so hard and putting so much stress on their muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, etc. Not everyone's body can survive this intensity.

They play way too many games. Most guys are over worked. Their bodies are tired. Their legs are tired.

Guys do not stretch enough. FLEXIBILITY is the silent killer. No one talks about it but it is so important for athletes. It prevent injuries and it also makes you faster and more explosive.

They do not do enough "body maintenance" -- yoga, hot tub, cold tub, massage, ice, foam roller, electro-shock, meditation, etc. This stuff takes stress off the body and allows the body to heal.

[Giovonny]

Steve Nash looked pretty good for his first game back.

He is one of my all time favorites.

I know we have alot of Canadians here.

Wayne Gretzky is also one of my all time favs.

Basketball was actually invented by a Canadian sports genius who needed a game that could be played in the winter time.

[TheSlayer]

@Gio: Agree wholeheartedly with your reply. Good discussion.

@Moma: I can't recall a season in recent memory where there were this many injuries. Rose (from last year), Rondo, Gallinari, Lee, Kobe, Barbosa (I know he's a bench player but still), Kevin Love, Lou Williams and many more. A lot of the premier players are injured, what a shame. I think a lot of what Gio said applies to this but a lot of it just has to be luck and randomness (especially in the case of the premier players, way too many injured in this one season).

(04-22-2013 03:14 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

Steve Nash looked pretty good for his first game back.

He is one of my all time favorites.

I know we have alot of Canadians here.

Wayne Gretzky is also one of my all time favs.

Basketball was actually invented by a Canadian sports genius who needed a game that could be played in the winter time.

Yeah, Steve Nash is definitely one of the all-time PGs. No doubt about that. But man, just looking at him at 39, he looks so banged up. Even yesterday he did not look fully mobile and healthy. I just don't think he has a lot left in his tank. At his age not only the injuries take longer to recover from but they also diminish your actual play.

On another note, LeBron is on some other planet right now. 27 points on only 11 shots, and a near triple double. He is redefining the entire concept of efficiency in basketball.

The Kobe Mike D'Antoni twitter beef is so stupid. I think Kobe is entirely valid in what he is saying but making a spectacle overshadows the team and I would imagine definitely a distraction for the entire team. If you really want to help just call/text during halftime. D'Antoni is an idiot too. If he doesn't like Kobe publicly tweeting then call him and let him know instead of calling him a "fan" in front of the media.

Sometimes players and people are so stupid. Just call the other person instead of communicating on social media or giving dumb interviews.

[Joga Bonito]

(04-22-2013 07:46 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  

@Gio: Agree wholeheartedly with your reply. Good discussion.

@Moma: I can't recall a season in recent memory where there were this many injuries. Rose (from last year), Rondo, Gallinari, Lee, Kobe, Barbosa (I know he's a bench player but still), Kevin Love, Lou Williams and many more. A lot of the premier players are injured, what a shame. I think a lot of what Gio said applies to this but a lot of it just has to be luck and randomness (especially in the case of the premier players, way too many injured in this one season).

(04-22-2013 03:14 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

Steve Nash looked pretty good for his first game back.

He is one of my all time favorites.

I know we have alot of Canadians here.

Wayne Gretzky is also one of my all time favs.

Basketball was actually invented by a Canadian sports genius who needed a game that could be played in the winter time.

Yeah, Steve Nash is definitely one of the all-time PGs. No doubt about that. But man, just looking at him at 39, he looks so banged up. Even yesterday he did not look fully mobile and healthy. I just don't think he has a lot left in his tank. At his age not only the injuries take longer to recover from but they also diminish your actual play.

On another note, LeBron is on some other planet right now. 27 points on only 11 shots, and a near triple double. He is redefining the entire concept of efficiency in basketball.

The Kobe Mike D'Antoni twitter beef is so stupid. I think Kobe is entirely valid in what he is saying but making a spectacle overshadows the team and I would imagine definitely a distraction for the entire team. If you really want to help just call/text during halftime. D'Antoni is an idiot too. If he doesn't like Kobe publicly tweeting then call him and let him know instead of calling him a "fan" in front of the media.

Sometimes players and people are so stupid. Just call the other person instead of communicating on social media or giving dumb interviews.

Truth right here. I will never understand grown men taking girly shots at each other in the media. Sure emotions run high, but the point of the media is to sell a story. They do not have the interests of the athlete at heart and pithy quibbles like this just make everyone look stupid while the media laughs and basks in the ratings increase. Athletes would make their lives much easier if they just answered questions about the game and left all the drama out of it. Nothing will get resolved through the media.

On the other hand, unfortunately for Danny Granger his injury has help Paul George turn into the monster everyone thought he could be. He stopped settling for jumpshots like he usually does and ended up at the line 18 times in addition to dropping a triple doub. This guy is a star in the making no doubt about it.

[InternationPlayboy]

The way I see it, after tonight the Lakers season in pretty much over.

For next season:

1) Get rid of D'Antoni and pick Phil Jackson back up

2) Hope Kobe has a great recovery and plays as well as he did this season

3) Steve Nash made a great contribution to the NBA and he was a great player, but he's too old and injury prone. It's time to retire bud

4) For Christ sake, you have great players, learn to play well together and have a record of at least over .600!

[2Wycked]

(04-25-2013 12:13 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

The way I see it, after tonight the Lakers season in pretty much over.

For next season:

1) Get rid of D'Antoni and pick Phil Jackson back up

2) Hope Kobe has a great recovery and plays as well as he did this season

3) Steve Nash made a great contribution to the NBA and he was a great player, but he's too old and injury prone. It's time to retire bud

4) For Christ sake, you have great players, learn to play well together and have a record of at least over .600!

Do you think Dwight will resign with LA?

Kobe's status mucks it up, plus the fact that D'Antoni sucks balls.

Nash would be cool to stick around as he still is legit on offense, but he is a serious liability on defense.

In the end, I always thought Howard was worried about following in Shaq's footsteps - Shaq is clearly the superior player.

As a Celt's fan, I would love for Dwight to come to Boston for a year while KG and The Truth matter, but he probably has other plans.

Could you imagine if a team like Golden State or Houston poached him? I don't know if they have the cap space, but it would radically change the West.

[InternationPlayboy]

(04-25-2013 03:53 AM)2Wycked Wrote:  

(04-25-2013 12:13 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

The way I see it, after tonight the Lakers season in pretty much over.

For next season:

1) Get rid of D'Antoni and pick Phil Jackson back up

2) Hope Kobe has a great recovery and plays as well as he did this season

3) Steve Nash made a great contribution to the NBA and he was a great player, but he's too old and injury prone. It's time to retire bud

4) For Christ sake, you have great players, learn to play well together and have a record of at least over .600!

Do you think Dwight will resign with LA?

Kobe's status mucks it up, plus the fact that D'Antoni sucks balls.

Nash would be cool to stick around as he still is legit on offense, but he is a serious liability on defense.

In the end, I always thought Howard was worried about following in Shaq's footsteps - Shaq is clearly the superior player.

As a Celt's fan, I would love for Dwight to come to Boston for a year while KG and The Truth matter, but he probably has other plans.

Could you imagine if a team like Golden State or Houston poached him? I don't know if they have the cap space, but it would radically change the West.

Howard will stick around one more year

Nash is spent man. Did you see him play tonight?

Kobe's status mucks it up? Did you forget he was #3 scorer this year at the age of 34? He had a phenomenal season, his team just couldn't step it up, they didn't click. I think they'll come back strong next year with a few adjustments.

[chyamor]

Looks like OKC chance just went down the drain

[InternationPlayboy]

(04-26-2013 12:30 PM)chyamor Wrote:  

Looks like OKC chance just went down the drain

Why do you say that? Did I miss something?

[InternationPlayboy]

(04-26-2013 12:40 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

(04-26-2013 12:30 PM)chyamor Wrote:  

Looks like OKC chance just went down the drain

Why do you say that? Did I miss something?

Oh shit, just saw westbrook needs surgery. Well, the Heats shot at the championship just went up as okcs when down. I think OKC will still do good, maybe even make it to the finals. But they won't beat the heat without westbrook. I don't think the Spurs have much of a chance against the heat either. The way I see it, may as well just hand Miami their trophy now.

[TheBulldozer]

This Bulls-Nets game is an absolute classic.

[at350zguyy]

San Antonio is coming out of the West. Cue Gio's excitement.

[InternationPlayboy]

Damn, well done Chicago. It looked like they would get dominated in this series after the first game. Now they're up 3-1. This game tonight went to 3OTs though.

[CaP7]

Someone needs to teach me how to reply to individual lines...ala Gio.

@iWin. Putting out Magic's stats is the obvious way to respond to the argument that he's the best point guard to play. Difficult to argue that. Although, there is a glaring lack of any all-NBA defensive teams made.

My main point is that Magic Johnson is overrated, because point guards historically are not the best players. To be great, it takes scoring and defense. Magic did it another way...with his playmaking. He did it with great players. Multiple hall-of fame players. It was the best situation for him. Put Magic's playmaking ability on LeBron's Cavs. What do you get? Put Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Oscar, etc, etc, etc and they do just what LeBron did. Magic doesn't get you there....IMO

@Gio. See above. Fine. I would take Magic if LeBron was out sick. If I had a big front line, I would take Isaiah...just to spite you. Ha!

[CaP7]

Anyone want to talk about Derrick Rose? I love Tom Tibs. That team is all about the fight and knows how to play in the playoffs...tough.

Isn't Rose putting a lot of pressure on himself to perform next season? My thought is that if he comes back this season for the last 10 games and a couple of playoff series, he'll get his feet wet a little. It's gonna be almost 18 months without game speed play. EVERYONE in the NBA will be watching the Bulls from month 1.

[CaP7]

Also...Kevin Durant is incredible. He's closing out the Rockets by himself right now. Just dove into the stands into something like 9 fans. The guy is long.

I'd take Durant over Magic in a heartbeat.

[Screwston]

Go Spurs Go!

[CaP7]

(04-29-2013 10:20 PM)houston Wrote:  

Go Spurs Go!

Awesome video! Great fight, but that's the reason I sit in the lower bowl at stadiums. Had enough of that nonsense in my life. People forget that they don't actually play the games. Just a show folks...